Using closed-captioning data to output an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, an example method for outputting an alert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system involves a computing device receiving first closed-captioning data that corresponds to a first video-stream; the computing device receiving second closed-captioning data that corresponds to a second video-stream; the computing device making a determination that the received first closed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity; and responsive to the determination that the received first closed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioning data lack the threshold extent of similarity, the computing device outputting an alert.

RELATED DISCLOSURE

This disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/676,276 filed on Apr. 1, 2015.

USAGE AND TERMINOLOGY

Throughout this application, with respect to all reasonable derivativesof such terms, and unless otherwise specified (and/or unless theparticular context clearly dictates otherwise), each usage of “a” or“an” means at least one, and each usage of “the” means the at least one.

BACKGROUND

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in thissection are not prior art to the claims in this disclosure and are notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

A video-broadcast system may be configured to generate and broadcast avideo stream to a set of receivers (e.g., set-top boxes) for viewing byend-users. In some instances, two different video-broadcast systems (aprimary and a back-up) may be configured to generate the same (orsubstantially the same) video streams at the same (or substantially thesame) time. As such, the primary and back-up systems may generateprimary and back-up streams, respectively. With this arrangement, theprimary system may broadcast the primary stream to the set of receiversunless and until the primary system becomes inoperative, in which casethe back-up system may take over and broadcast the back-up stream to theset of receivers instead.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, an example method for outputting an alert indicatinga functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system involves: acomputing device receiving first closed-captioning data that correspondsto a first video-stream; the computing device receiving secondclosed-captioning data that corresponds to a second video-stream; thecomputing device making a determination that the received firstclosed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioning datalack a threshold extent of similarity; and responsive to thedetermination that the received first closed-captioning data and thereceived second closed-captioning data lack the threshold extent ofsimilarity, the computing device outputting an alert.

In a second aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium has storedthereon program instructions that when executed cause a computing deviceto perform of a set of acts for outputting an alert indicating afunctional state of a back-up video-broadcast system, the set of actsinvolving: receiving first closed-captioning data that corresponds to afirst video-stream; receiving second closed-captioning data thatcorresponds to a second video-stream; making a determination that thereceived first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity; andresponsive to the determination that the received firstclosed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioning datalack the threshold extent of similarity, outputting an alert.

In a third aspect, a computing device includes a processor and anon-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon programinstructions that when executed by the processor cause the computingdevice to perform of a set of acts for outputting an alert indicating afunctional state of a back-up video-broadcast system, the set of actsinvolving: receiving first closed-captioning data that corresponds to afirst video-stream; receiving second closed-captioning data thatcorresponds to a second video-stream; making a determination that thereceived first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity; andresponsive to the determination that the received firstclosed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioning datalack the threshold extent of similarity, outputting an alert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an example systemaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating another example systemaccording to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an example computingdevice according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example method according to thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

I. Overview

As indicated above, in some instances, primary and back-up systems maygenerate primary and back-up video streams, respectively, and in theevent that the primary system becomes inoperable, the back-up system maybroadcast the back-up stream to take the place of the primary stream.Given this, at any given time, it may be desirable to determine afunctional state of the back-up system. In particular, it may bedesirable to determine whether the back-up system is in fact generatinga back-up stream, thus allowing the back-up system to take over ifnecessary. In the event that the back-up system is not generating aback-up stream, it may be desired to output an alert so that the issuewith the back-up system can be addressed.

One approach for determining a functional state of the back-up systeminvolves a computing device conducting a bit-by-bit comparison of aprimary stream and a corresponding purported back-up stream to determinewhether the streams are exact copies of each other. After making thiscomparison, if the device determines that there is a discrepancy betweenthe two streams, the device may output an alert (i.e., to indicate thatthe back-up system is not functioning properly).

However, in some cases, this approach may not provide useful results.This may be the case where the two streams are not identical, but wherethey represent respective portions of video content that areperceptually indistinguishable from each other (from the perspective ofa typical end-user). Such streams may not be identical for a variety ofreasons, such as due to a digital signal processing artifact that ispresent in one stream, but not in the other. Given this scenario,despite the fact that the back-up system is generating a back-up streamthat should be considered to be an acceptable back-up of the primarystream, due to the nature of the bit-by-bit comparison, the device maynonetheless output an alert.

The present disclosure provides an alternative and improved approach fordetermining a functional state of a back-up system, and for outputtingan alert indicating the functional state, and is based, at least inpart, on a consideration of closed-captioning data.

Closed-captioning is a video-related service that was developed for thehearing-impaired. When closed-captioning is enabled, video content andclosed-captioning text (typically representing corresponding audiocontent) are displayed as the video content is played. Theclosed-captioning text may represent, for example, spoken dialog orsound effects corresponding to the video content, thereby helping aviewer to comprehend what is being presented in the video content.Closed-captioning may also be disabled such that the video content maybe displayed without the closed-captioning text.

Closed-captioning text may be generated in a variety of manners. Forexample, a computer-based automatic speech-recognition system mayconvert spoken dialog into text. Another technique may involve anindividual listening to audio content and manually typing outcorresponding text.

After the closed-captioning text is generated, it may be encoded andstored in the form of closed-captioning data. Closed-captioning data maythen be embedded in or otherwise associated with the corresponding videocontent. In some cases, a video-broadcast system may add theclosed-captioning data to a video stream, for example in line 21 of ananalog format broadcast according to the National Televisions SystemsCommittee (NTSC) standard, and may then broadcast the video stream to aset of receivers for viewing by end-users.

In one aspect, disclosed is a method that involves a computing devicereceiving first closed-captioning data that corresponds to a firstvideo-stream, and to first video-content represented by the firstvideo-stream. The method further involves the device receiving secondclosed-captioning data that corresponds to a second video-stream, and tosecond video-content represented by the second video-stream. One of thefirst and second video streams is a primary stream, and the other is acorresponding purported back-up stream.

The method further involves the device making a determination that thereceived first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity, and,responsive to the determination, the device outputting an alert. Ascompared to the bit-by-bit comparison approach described above, bycomparing closed-captioning data, the device may more accuratelydetermine whether or not a purported back-up stream is in fact a back-upstream. Indeed, in the case where the first and second streams are notidentical, but where they represent respective portions of video contentthat are perceptually indistinguishable from each other, the portionsare likely to have the same (or similar) closed-captioning data, andtherefore, in accordance with the disclosed technique, the device mayappropriately forgo outputting an alert. On the other hand, in the casewhere the respective portions of video content are perceptuallydistinguishable from each other, in accordance with the disclosedtechnique, the device may appropriately output an alert (i.e., toindicate that the back-up system is not functioning properly).

II. Example System

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an example system 100.The system 100 may include at least two video-broadcast systems,including a first system 102 a and a second system 102 b. One of thefirst and second systems 102 a, 102 b may serve as a primary system, andother may serve as a back-up system. The system 100 may further includea receiver 104, and a computing device 106.

The first system 102 a may include a generation system 108 a and adistribution system 110 a. The generation system 108 a may be configuredfor generating a first video-stream 112 a, and may include variouscomponents, including for example a video source, a router, a switcher,and/or a broadcast automation system. The generation system 108 a mayfurther be configured for generating first closed-captioning data 114 acorresponding to the first stream 112 a. In one example, the firstclosed-captioning data 114 a is embedded in the first stream 112 a.

The generation system 108 a may be connected to the distribution system110 a, which in turn may be connected to the receiver 104. Thedistribution system 110 a may be configured for distributing the firststream 112 a to the receiver 104. The distribution system 110 a mayinclude various components such as a terrestrial antenna or a satellite,and may be configured for distributing the first stream 112 a to thereceiver 104 in a variety of ways (e.g., over the air transmission). Thereceiver 104 may take a variety of forms, including for example, atelevision or a television set-top box.

The second system 102 b may be configured in a same or similar manner tothat of the first system 102 a. As such, the second system 102 b mayinclude a generation system 108 b and a distribution system 110 b. Thegeneration system 108 b may be configured for generating a secondvideo-stream 112 b, and may include various components, including forexample a media source, a router, a switcher, and/or a broadcastautomation system. The generation system 108 a may further be configuredfor generating second closed-captioning data 114 b corresponding to thesecond stream 112 b. In one example, the second closed-captioning data114 b is embedded in the second stream 112 b. The generation system 108b may be connected to the distribution system 110 b, which in turn maybe connected to the receiver 104. The distribution system 110 b may beconfigured for distributing the second stream 112 b to the receiver 104.The distribution system 110 b may include various components such as aterrestrial antenna or a satellite, and may be configured fordistributing the second stream 112 b to the receiver 104 in a variety ofways.

While the generation system 108 may generate the first stream 112 a andthe generation system 108 b may generate the second stream 112 b at orabout the same time, the system 100 may be configured such that only oneof the distribution systems 110 a, 110 b distributes its respectivegenerated stream to the receiver 104 at a given time. In practice,provided the first system 102 a is operational, the distribution system110 a may distribute the first stream 112 a to the receiver 104, unlessand until the first system 102 b becomes inoperative, in which case thesecond system 102 b may take over and the distribution system 110 b maydistribute the second stream 112 b to the receiver 104 instead. In thisscenario, the first system 102 a may be considered the primary systemand the second system 102 b may be considered the back-up system.Likewise, the first stream 112 a may be considered the primary stream,and the second stream 112 b may be considered the back-up stream.

Given the possibility of the second system 102 b taking over for thefirst system 102 a, at any given time, it may be desirable to determinea functional state of the second system 102 b. In particular, it may bedesirable to determine whether the second system 102 b is in factgenerating a back-up stream, thus allowing the second system 102 b totake over if necessary. In the event that the second up system 102 b isnot generating a back-up stream, it may be desired to generate alert sothat the issue with the second system 102 b can be addressed (e.g., byan operator or automatically by another system).

The device 106 may be configured to generate such an alert. The device106 may be connected to both generation systems 108 b, 108 b. With thisarrangement, the device 106 may receive the first closed-captioning data114 a and the second closed-captioning data 114 b (by receiving thefirst stream 112 a and the second stream 112 b, respectively). Notably,in some instances, at least one of the first closed-captioning data 114a and the second closed-captioning data 114 b may not be embedded in arespective video stream, and thus the device 106 may separately receiveat least one of the first closed-captioning data 114 a and/or the secondclosed-captioning data 114 b. Further, the device 106 may make adetermination that the received first closed-captioning data 114 a andthe received second closed-captioning data 114 b lack a threshold extentof similarity, and in response to the determination, the device 106 mayoutput an alert.

In some examples, a video-broadcast system may be integrated with anaudio-broadcast system, such that a video stream representing videocontent may be broadcast together with an audio stream representingcorresponding audio content. In some instances, the video stream and theaudio stream may be combined into a single media stream.

FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an example system 200.The system 200 may be the same as or similar to the system 100, exceptthat the system 200 includes another computing device 114, and acommunication network 116 connecting the device 106 and the device 114,and through which the device 106 and the device 114 may communicate. Thedevice 114 is also connected to the generation system 108 b. Thecommunication network 116 may take a variety of forms. For example, thecommunication network 116 may be a packet-switched network such as theInternet.

With this arrangement, the device 106 may receive the first stream 112a, and the first closed-captioning data 114 a. Further, the device 114may receive the second stream 112 b and the second closed-captioningdata 114 b. The device 114 may transmit the second closed-captioningdata 114 a to the device 106, and the device 106 may receive the same.The device 106 may then make a determination that the received firstclosed-captioning data 114 a and the received second closed-captioning114 b data lack a threshold extent of similarity, and in response to thedetermination, the device 106 may output an alert.

FIG. 3 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an example computingdevice 300. The device 300 may represent the device 106 or the device114, for instance. The device 300 may be configured for performing avariety of functions or acts, such as those described in this disclosure(including the accompanying drawings). The device 300 may includevarious components, including for example, a processor 302, acommunication interface 304, a user interface 306, and a data storage308. The components of the device 300 may be communicatively connectedto each other (or other devices or systems) via a system bus, network,or other connection mechanism 310.

The processor 302 may include a general purpose processor (e.g., amicroprocessor) and/or a special purpose processor (e.g., a digitalsignal processor (DSP)).

The communication interface 304 may be configured to allow the device300 to communicate with one or more devices (or systems) according toone or more protocols. In one example, the communication interface 304may be a wired interface, such as an Ethernet interface or ahigh-definition serial-digital-interface (HD-SDI). As another example,the communication interface 304 may be a wireless interface, such as acellular or WI-FI interface.

The user interface 306 may facilitate interaction with a user of thedevice, if applicable. As such, the user interface 306 may include inputcomponents such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch-sensitivepanel, a microphone, and a camera, and output components such as adisplay screen (which, for example, may be combined with atouch-sensitive panel), a sound speaker, and a haptic feedback system.

The data storage 308 may include one or more volatile, non-volatile,removable, and/or non-removable storage components, such as magnetic,optical, or flash storage, and may be integrated in whole or in partwith the processor 302. Further, the data storage 308 may take the formof a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having storedthereon program instructions (e.g., compiled or non-compiled programlogic and/or machine code) that, when executed by the processor 302,cause the device 300 to perform one or more functions or acts, such asthose described in this disclosure. Such program instructions may defineor be part of a discrete software application that can be executed inresponse to certain inputs received from the user interface 306, forinstance. The data storage 308 may also store other types of informationor data, such as those types described throughout this disclosure.

III. Example Operations

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 400. At block 402,the method may involve a computing device receiving firstclosed-captioning data that corresponds to a first video-stream. Forinstance, this may involve the device 106 receiving the first data 114 afrom the generation system 108 a.

At block 404, the method may involve the computing device receivingsecond closed-captioning data that corresponds to a second video-stream.For instance, this may involve the device 106 receiving the secondclosed-captioning data 114 b from the generation system 108 b. Asanother example, this may involve the device 106 receiving the secondclosed-captioning data 114 b from the device 114.

At block 406, the method may involve the computing device making adetermination that the received first closed-captioning data and thereceived second closed-captioning data lack a threshold extent ofsimilarity. For instance, this may involve the device 106 making adetermination that the first closed-captioning data 114 a and the secondclosed-captioning data 114 b lack a threshold extent of similarity.

The threshold extent of similarity may be based on a variety of factors,such as the text represented by closed-captioning data, and/or the timeassociated with any such text. For instance, the device 106 may make thedetermination that the received first closed-captioning data and thereceived second closed-captioning data lack a threshold extent ofsimilarity by determining that the first closed-captioning datarepresents first text that is not represented by the secondclosed-captioning data.

In one example, closed-captioning text may be associated with a time,such as a time when the text is provided to a set of receivers fordisplay. The device 106 may utilize a time synchronization service(e.g., a global positioning system (GPS) time synchronization service),to determine such a time. The time may be represented in a variety offormats, such as by specifying a number of hours, minutes, seconds, andframes (which is commonly represented in HH:MM:SS:FF format).

In this case, the device 106 may make the determination that thereceived first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity bydetermining that the second closed-captioning data does not representthe first text associated with a second time that is within a toleranceperiod (e.g., one minute) of the first time.

Additionally or alternatively, the device 106 may make the determinationthat the received first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity bydetermining that a first data-size of the first closed-captioning dataand a second data-size of the second closed-captioning data lack athreshold extend of similarity. This may involve determining that thefile data-sizes are not identical or that they differ by at least athreshold amount.

At block 408, the method may involve responsive to the determinationthat the received first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack the threshold extent of similarity,outputting an alert. For instance, this may involve responsive to thedetermination that the first closed-captioning data 114 a and the secondclosed-captioning data 114 b lack a threshold extent of similarity, thedevice 106 outputting an alert.

The act of outputting an alert may take a variety of forms. Forinstance, this may involve the device 106 displaying a message.Alternatively or additionally, this may involve the device 106transmitting an instruction to another system or device. Such aninstruction may cause the system or device to initiate a diagnosticand/or repair process in connection with the second system 102 b.

IV. Example Variations

While one or more acts have been described as being performed by certaindevices, systems, or entities (e.g., the computing device 106), the actsmay be performed by any device, system, or entity, such as thosedescribed in connection with the first system 100 or the second system200. Furthermore, the devices and systems need not be discrete entities.Some or all of the devices or systems may be combined in a singledevice.

In addition, the acts described herein need not be performed in thedisclosed order, although in some examples and order may be preferred.Also, not all acts need to be performed to achieve the desiredadvantages of the disclosed systems, devices, and methods, and thereforenot all acts are required. Variations discussed in connection with oneexample may be applied to all other examples disclosed herein.

While select examples of the present disclosure have been described,alterations and permutations of these examples will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Other changes, substitutions, andalterations are also possible without departing from the invention onits broader aspects as set forth in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for outputting an alert indicatinga functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system, the methodcomprising: a computing device receiving first closed-captioning datathat corresponds to a first video-stream, wherein the first video-streamwas generated by a primary video-broadcast system; the computing devicereceiving second closed-captioning data that corresponds to a secondvideo-stream, wherein the second video-stream was generated by theback-up video-broadcast system; the computing device comparing thereceived first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data; based on the comparison, the computing devicemaking a determination that the received first closed-captioning dataand the received second closed-captioning data lack a threshold extentof similarity; and responsive to the determination that the receivedfirst closed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioningdata lack the threshold extent of similarity, the computing deviceoutputting an alert indicating that the back-up video-broadcast systemis not functioning properly.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein makingthe determination that the received first closed-captioning data and thereceived second closed-captioning data lack a threshold extent ofsimilarity comprises determining that the first closed-captioning datarepresents first text that is not represented by the secondclosed-captioning data.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the firstclosed-captioning data represents first text associated with a firsttime.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein making the determination thatthe received first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity comprisesdetermining that the second closed-captioning data does not representthe first text associated with a second time that is within a toleranceperiod of the first time.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein making thedetermination that the received first closed-captioning data and thereceived second closed-captioning data lack a threshold extent ofsimilarity comprises determining that a first data-size of the firstclosed-captioning data and a second data-size of the secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein outputting an alert comprises displaying amessage.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting an alert comprisestransmitting an instruction.
 8. A non-transitory computer-readablemedium having stored thereon program instructions that when executedcause a computing device to perform a set of acts for outputting analert indicating a functional state of a back-up video-broadcast system,the set of acts comprising: receiving first closed-captioning data thatcorresponds to a first video-stream, wherein the first video-stream wasgenerated by a primary video-broadcast system; receiving secondclosed-captioning data that corresponds to a second video-stream,wherein the second video-stream was generated by the back-upvideo-broadcast system; comparing the received first closed-captioningdata to the received second closed-captioning data; based on thecomparison, making a determination that the received firstclosed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioning datalack a threshold extent of similarity; and responsive to thedetermination that the received first closed-captioning data and thereceived second closed-captioning data lack the threshold extent ofsimilarity, outputting an alert indicating that the back-upvideo-broadcast system is not functioning properly.
 9. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein making thedetermination that the received first closed-captioning data and thereceived second closed-captioning data lack a threshold extent ofsimilarity comprises determining that the first closed-captioning datarepresents first text that is not represented by the secondclosed-captioning data.
 10. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 8, wherein the first closed-captioning data represents firsttext associated with a first time.
 11. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein making the determinationthat the received first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity comprisesdetermining that the second closed-captioning data does not representthe first text associated with a second time that is within a toleranceperiod of the first time.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 8, wherein making the determination that the receivedfirst closed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioningdata lack a threshold extent of similarity comprises determining that afirst data-size of the first closed-captioning data and a seconddata-size of the second closed-captioning data lack a threshold extentof similarity.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim8, wherein outputting an alert comprises displaying a message.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein outputtingan alert comprises transmitting an instruction.
 15. A computing devicecomprising: a processor; and a non-transitory computer-readable mediumhaving stored thereon program instructions that when executed by theprocessor cause the computing device to perform a set of acts foroutputting an alert indicating a functional state of a back-upvideo-broadcast system, the set of acts comprising: receiving firstclosed-captioning data that corresponds to a first video-stream, whereinthe first video-stream was generated by a primary video-broadcastsystem; receiving second closed-captioning data that corresponds to asecond video-stream, wherein the second video-stream was generated bythe back-up video-broadcast system; the computing device comparing thereceived first closed-captioning data to the received secondclosed-captioning data; based on the comparison, making a determinationthat the received first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity; andresponsive to the determination that the received firstclosed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioning datalack the threshold extent of similarity, outputting an alert indicatingthat the back-up video-broadcast system is not functioning properly. 16.The computing device of claim 15, wherein making the determination thatthe received first closed-captioning data and the received secondclosed-captioning data lack a threshold extent of similarity comprisesdetermining that the first closed-captioning data represents first textthat is not represented by the second closed-captioning data.
 17. Thecomputing device of claim 15, wherein the first closed-captioning datarepresents first text associated with a first time.
 18. The computingdevice of claim 17, wherein making the determination that the receivedfirst closed-captioning data and the received second closed-captioningdata lack a threshold extent of similarity comprises determining thatthe second closed-captioning data does not represent the first textassociated with a second time that is within a tolerance period of thefirst time.
 19. The computing device of claim 15, wherein outputting analert comprises displaying a message.
 20. The computing device of claim15, wherein outputting an alert comprises transmitting an instruction.